Structural characterization of the equatorial F region plasma irregularities in the multifractal context

Abstract. In the emerging ionosphere-space-weather paradigm, investigating dynamical properties of ionospheric plasma irregularities using advanced computational non-linear algorithms is providing new insights into their turbulent-like nature, for instance, the evidence of energy distribution via multiplicative cascade. In this study, we present multifractal analysis of the equatorial F region in situ data obtained from two different experiments performed at Alcântara (2.4° S; 44.4° W), Brazil to explore their scaling structures. First experiment observed several large-medium scale plasma bubbles whereas second experiment observed vertical uplift of the base of F region. Multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis and p-model fit is used to analyze the plasma density fluctuation time series. Result shows presence of multifractality with degree of multifractality 0.53–1.1 with 0.29 l p l 0.4 cascading probability for first experiment. Another experimental data also exhibits multifractality with degree of multifractality 0.27–0.33 with 0.42 l p l 0.44 cascading probability in the ionospheric plasma irregularities. Our results confirm the nonhomogeneous nature of plasma irregularities and characterize the underlying nonhomogeneous multiplicative cascade hypothesis in the ionospheric medium. Differences in terms of scaling and complexity in data belonging to different types of phenomena are also addressed.